PERFUME/I Profumi di Boboli
May 22–25
Limonaia in Villa Strozzi, via Pisana 77/via di Soffiano 11, Florence
This free, four-day annual event in the Limonaia of Villa Strozzi, showcases an array of perfumes, soaps, candles, essential oils and cosmetics made from plants and herbs. With a theme of Fragrance and Design, the programme includes an interactive workshop, The Coffee School (Saturday, 4pm). May 22 and 23: 3–9pm; May 24 and 25: 10am–9pm. For more information, see www.profumidiboboli.org.
PARTY/Fabbrica Europa
May 8–June 28
Stazione Leopolda & other locations in Florence
Now in its 21st year, Fabbrica Europa, a festival of contemporary arts, brings visual arts, dance and theatre, installations and concerts to Florence. This year’s theme explores the concepts of identity, community and otherness. The various event locations include Le Murate and, for the first time, the impressive Teatro Goldoni.
For more information, see theflr.net/fabbricaeuropa.
VISIT/UNESCO & Toscana Esclusiva
May 9– 11 & May 25
Various locations
Discover hidden corners of Florence and Tuscany while visiting some of the dozens of gardens and courtyards, some of which are rarely open to the public. Free; from 10am to 1pm; 3 to 7pm. This year, the courtyard of Palazzo Michelozzi (via Maggio 11), hosts a benefit exhibition, Primavera per File, of plants, flowers, books and other objects. For details see www.adsi-toscana.it (in Italian).
From May 9 to 11, Tuscany is throwing a region-wide party to celebrate its 12 new entrants to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Along with ceremonies to unveil the UNESCO plaques, there will be special guided tours of the villas and their gardens, as well as other activities.
For more information, see pages 26 and 27. (LINK)
CULTURE/The Art is in the Streets
May 10
Via Faenza, San Lorenzo area, Florence
Enjoy an art exhibition (11am–6.30pm), dance show (3.30pm) and fashion show (8pm), when the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute hosts the 8th edition of The Art is in the Streets on via Faenza. More at www.ldminstitute.com.
APERITIVO/TF Tandem
May 28, 7.30-9.30pm
Spazio Alfieri, via dell’Ulivo 6, Florence
Keen to practice your languages? Improve your fluency? Or just meet some new friendly faces? Join the TF team, in collaboration with Spazio Alfieri and Zazie, for a language-exchange aperitivo. Enjoy a Spritz, some delicious food and conversation all for the special price of 5 euro. E-mail redazione@theflorentine.net for more information.
BE BRITISH/Afternoon Tea
Every Thursday
British Institute, Harold Acton Library, lungarno Guicciardini 9, Florence
Missing British culture? Or just fancy a delicious cup of Tealicious tea? Afternoon tea at the British Institute library, every Thursday from 4.30 to 6pm, features delicious blends from local teahouse Tealicious. All are welcome (minimum suggested donation of 1.50 euro, which goes towards supporting the library). For more information, see www.britishinstitute.it.
MUSEUM/Amico Museo
May 17–June 2
Various museums in Tuscany
Explore Tuscany’s museums. On May 17, the event coincides with the Europe-wide opening of museums (free entry, shows and more; see www.lanottedeimusei.it). Then, through June 2, enjoy extraordinary openings, guided tours, workshops and events at museums and places of interest in Tuscany. As part of the celebration, Tuscan Case della Memoria, on June 1 and 2, more than 50 homes where noted names once lived are open to the public. See the full schedule at theflr.net/amicomuseo.
EUROPE/Notte Blu
May 8– 10
Le Murate, Florence and other locations
Notte Blu, the annual three-day festival, is part of the Festival of Europe, which promotes European awareness and integration. Events range from concerts to aperitivos, art exhibitions and lectures: among them, Le Murate will be lit in blue for three days, Florentine saxophone quartet Be-Flat will play and the Socialisarte Association will perform acrobatic dance to live music. For the full programme and more information, see www.edfirenze.eu
ARTISAN/Artigianato e Palazzo
May 15–18
Corsini Gardens, via della Scala 115, Florence
This annual celebration of artisans and their work consistently features some of the best artisans from Italy and beyond, combining innovation with centuries-old techniques. Held in the historic Corsini Gardens, this year’s edition includes a Blogs & Crafts competition: 10 artisans under the age of 35 and 10 bloggers who write about crafts will be blogging live throughout the show. See www.artigianatoepalazzo.it for more information.
CINEMA/Oriental Films
May 8–11 + May 26–29
Odeon Cinehall, piazza Strozzi, Florence
Asia arrives in Florence with two film festivals. From May 8 to 11, the WA! Japan Film Festival fills screens with documentaries and short and feature-length films. Some of the films’ directors and actors will be on hand to introduce their work; chefs will be offering sushi, ramen and more; and festival-goers can participate in a traditional tea ceremony. For a full programme, see www.wajapanfilmfest.it. From May 26 to 29, the Odeon Florence welcomes the Dragon Film Festival, screening contemporary Chinese cinema from the Hong King Film Panorama and the Shanghai International Film Festival. For information, see www.quellidellacompagnia.it.
